Jan Maxwell Has Died; Five-Time Tony Nominee Was 61

Jan Maxwell, a beautiful and gifted comic actress whose five Tony Award nominations included two in the same season, died today of cancer, her son, William Maxwell-Lunny, confirmed. She was 61. Maxwell was both talented and beloved, known for her professionalism and timing, whether it was for a sly patrician snarl or a bit of business put over with minimum exaggeration for maximum effect.

Her notable musical comedy performances included roles in Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s Follies (which also ran in Los Angeles), the Sherman brothers’ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. She most recently appeared as Hester Ferris in the Lincoln Center Theater production of Anthony Giardina’s The City of Conversation. Her many television series appearances included recurring roles on CBS’ Brain Dead and The Good Wife and WE’s The Divide.

Like many of New York City’s talented actors, she was a regular on the Law and Order series.

In addition to her son, Maxwell is survived by her husband, playwright and actor Robert Emmet Lunney.